The Christie to launch mobile chemotherapy unit

The Christie is to launch a mobile chemotherapy unit to bring care closer to home for cancer patients

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The Christie is to launch a mobile chemotherapy unit to bring care closer to home for cancer patients in Rochdale.

From October 2013, the specialist cancer centre will also treat patients needing chemotherapy from a specially customised mobile unit which will be stationed in these different towns, Monday to Friday. It will treat patients between 8.00am and 4.00pm and has been funded entirely by The Christie charity.

Listeners of BBC Radio Manchester helped to fundraise for the unit after the station chose The Christie to be their charity of the year for 2013.

Chief Executive at The Christie, Caroline Shaw, said: “The mobile chemotherapy unit, which has been paid for by our charity, will benefit around 100 patients a week who currently have to travel long distances for treatment at our main site.

“This will enable us to deliver first class care, nearer to where patients live, which is part of our 20:20 Vision Strategy to provide our specialist treatment closer to patients’ homes.

“Huge thanks to BBC Radio Manchester and all their listeners who helped to make this possible.”

Outreach manager at The Christie, Vicky Burns, said: “These different areas – Bolton, Failsworth, Hyde, Rochdale and Trafford – have been specifically chosen following research which showed where the unit was needed most. It will be staffed by Christie nurses and healthcare assistants to ensure the same high standards of treatment and care consistent with our main site.

“The mobile unit will arrive on the same day of the week at each location so this is consistent for patients having standard weekly infusions.”

The mobile unit, which cost just over £700,000, will have four treatment chairs to enable Christie nurses to treat up to 20 cancer patients a day. There will also be a waiting area for relatives.

All patients will be assessed by a Christie nurse before their treatment begins and patients will continue to have regular reviews by their Christie consultant.

Kate Squire BBC Radio Manchester’s Managing Editor said: “I’m thrilled that BBC Radio Manchester’s listeners have got behind the appeal. We’ve been blown away by the things people have done to fundraise for the Million Pound Appeal, from cake sales to abseiling, listeners have gone to extraordinary lengths for The Christie – and there’s still time to get involved. This facility will make such a difference to people living with cancer across Greater Manchester. I’m really proud that the BBC Radio Manchester listeners have taken this appeal to their hearts and been so generous.”

If you are a Christie patient living in one of these five areas and want to find out if you are eligible to be treated at the mobile unit please contact chemotherapy project lead Danielle Longworth on 0161 918 7671.